Toyama City's Official NFT Passport, Which Received 2,433 Applications (2.4x Capacity), Opens 2nd Round Recruitment for 1,000 Slots on HEXA!

Media Equity Co., Ltd., operator of Japan's largest NFT marketplace 'HEXA,' has collaborated with Tobu Top Tours Co., Ltd. to launch the second round of recruitment for Toyama City's relationship population creation project, 'TOYAMA Future Citizen Passport,' starting today, April 28, 2026, on HEXA.

The first round (conducted in January 2026) exceeded its planned issuance of 1,000 cards within just five days of launch. Ultimately, it received 2,433 applications, significantly exceeding expectations at approximately 2.4 times capacity. About 75% of applicants were in their 20s and 30s, and roughly 60% were considering moving to the city, visualizing the presence and enthusiasm of 'regional fans' who wish to remain involved with Toyama City. Based on this result, the second round was decided at a similar scale.

### Background: A New Way of Connecting with Regions That Doesn't End as a One-Off
As the birthrate declines and the population ages, local governments nationwide face the challenge: 'People visit, but the relationship doesn't last.' Point-of-contact through tourism or events often ends there. The key is how to nurture 'relationship populations' who live outside the region but continue to be involved over the long term.

The 'TOYAMA Future Citizen Passport' presents a solution by combining NFT technology with a two-way community. People living outside the prefecture who 'love Toyama City' and 'want to stay involved' can connect continuously with Toyama City via the passport.

### Mechanism to Prevent Relationships from Ending, Realized via NFT
Unlike traditional regional measures, this passport is not just 'distributed and done'; holding it serves as an entrance to ongoing regional participation. Through the exclusive NFT holder community on HEXA, passport holders can stay involved with Toyama City in the following ways:
- Continuously receive official Toyama City information (migration, U-turns, employment, hometown tax, events in Tokyo, etc.).
- Participate as stakeholders in regional development through surveys and opinion gathering.
- Meet and interact with peers who also have an interest in Toyama City.

### Overview of 'TOYAMA Future Citizen Passport' Round 2
- **Number of Issuances:** 1,000 (Lottery if applications exceed capacity)
- **Recruitment Period:** April 28, 2026 – May 11, 2026
- **Acquisition Cost:** Free (Non-transferable, Non-resalable)
- **Eligibility:** Residents outside Toyama Prefecture who like Toyama City
- **Design:** Created by Toyama-born manga artist Sapuri Yamaguchi
- **Application Method:** Apply via the HEXA recruitment page

### Benefits for Passport Holders
- Free admission to Toyama City Glass Art Museum (Permanent and Special Exhibitions)
- Free 2-hour use of the coworking space 'Sketch Lab' in front of Toyama Station (includes a drink)
- Participation in the online community
- Participation in gift campaigns to win hotel vouchers and experience tickets in the city

For Toyama City, this passport is a new channel to connect with demographics that were interested but had no point of contact. Approximately 60% of the first round's applicants answered that they were 'considering migration,' showing its significant impact.